Shapiro

Pop / Indie / Rock

Harrisonburg, VA

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Shapiro does Guitar Center

Billboard

Shapiro formed in 2003 in the hills of Central Virginia. With mature and eclectic taste, a flare for original and tasteful composition, and more talent than any one band should be allowed, the band has been making a name for themselves along the East Coast for two years.

Shapiro consists of Jeremy on lead vocals and piano, Carl on the bass, John on drums, and Nathan on electric guitar. Though the musical background of the boys ranges from being completely self-taught to being university-trained, the sum is truly greater than its parts, and they have learned to approach the tasks of writing, arranging, and performing as a band with a passion and strength that can only come with a collective dedication to their art and to each other.

Several months after forming, armed with a handful of their strongest work, the band went in August 2003 to the noted Cue Recording Studios outside of Washington, DC to record in the very same space used previously by the likes of Michael Jackson, Dave Matthews Band, and Madonna. The result was a successful and well-received recording which set the band moving at new pace and brought them a new dose of attention and many new fans. The self-titled EP was followed in 2004 by the EP If I’d Known, which has sold over 2500 copies solely on the band’s efforts.

Shapiro has continued to push themselves, impressing audiences not only with their talent and energy, but also with an interesting but accessible, jazz-inflected pop sound that neither bores nor alienates their listeners. The band has gained experience touring and playing a variety of venues up and down the East coast. In 2005, Shapiro was invited to perform at MACRoCk, a college radio conference which dedicates a weekend to the progress of college radio and independent music through independent band performances and round table discussions with DJs, managers, and artists.

All of these experiences have played a part in developing the band’s sound and the live experience that they bring with them at every show they play. This energy and intensity are captured well on Shapiro’s latest recording, You Are Alone, (2005) which not only shows the band at their most creative but also gives listeners a little idea of what they’re in for when they have the chance to see Shapiro perform.